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Loveland is a city of about 80,000 people in northern Colorado, where the plains meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1877 along the Colorado Central Railroad and named after the railroad's president, it grew as a farming town known for its cherry orchards before becoming one of the region's fastest-growing cities.
Loveland calls itself the "Sweetheart City." Every February its Valentine Re-mailing Program stamps hundreds of thousands of cards with a special Loveland postmark. It is also a major center for sculpture, with bronze foundries, the outdoor Benson Sculpture Garden and hundreds of public art pieces around town.
Downtown has restored brick buildings, the Rialto Theater and breweries, and Lake Loveland and Boyd Lake State Park offer beaches and boating. Devil's Backbone Open Space has hiking among red rock ridges, and the Big Thompson Canyon road leads west to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Free park with more than 150 outdoor sculptures set among ponds, lawns and trees, reflecting Loveland's big community of sculptors and bronze foundries. Each August it hosts Sculpture in the Park, a large juried outdoor sculpture show. Pick up a map and allow an hour.
Outdoor park at Centerra on the east side of Loveland displaying large stone sculptures by Shona artists from Zimbabwe, set along paths with themes of family and nature. It is free and peaceful, with mountain views. Combine it with a walk around the nearby lake and shops.
Historic downtown along Fourth Street with galleries, antique stores, breweries and restaurants, plus public sculptures on many corners. It hosts summer concerts and festivals. Park for free on side streets and walk to the Loveland Museum and Rialto Theater nearby.
Restored 1920 movie palace on Fourth Street downtown, now a city-run performing arts venue for concerts, films, theater and dance. Its original decor has been carefully preserved. Check the calendar and buy tickets ahead for popular shows; seating is intimate.
City museum downtown with galleries on local history, from Native peoples and early settlers to the Big Thompson flood, plus changing fine art exhibits. It is small and well done. Allow about an hour; check fees and opening days, as it is closed on Mondays.
Large lake in the middle of the city with views of the Rocky Mountain foothills, a summer swim beach and park space on the north shore. It is a pleasant spot for a sunset walk. Swimming is allowed only at the swim beach during lifeguard hours in summer.
Reservoir in the foothills southwest of Loveland, run as a Larimer County park with boating, sailing, fishing, campgrounds and trails among red rock hills. The drive up gives wide views over the plains. A daily park permit is required; afternoon winds can be strong.
State park around a large reservoir just east of Loveland, with a sandy swim beach, boat ramps, marina rentals, picnic areas, a campground and a paved trail. It is popular for water sports in summer. A Colorado state parks pass is required; arrive early on hot weekends.
Open space west of town protecting a jagged sandstone ridge with trails that lead past rock formations such as the Keyhole. The main loop is easy to moderate and good for hiking and mountain biking. There is little shade; go early in summer and watch for rattlesnakes.
Narrow, rocky canyon carved by the Big Thompson River on US Highway 34 west of Loveland toward Estes Park, with steep walls, pullouts and fishing spots. It is a scenic route into the Rockies. Drive carefully, watch for rockfall and stop at signed pullouts only.
Each year before Valentine's Day, volunteers hand-stamp a special cachet and verse onto thousands of cards sent to Loveland, the Sweetheart City, and remail them worldwide. Mail your cards inside a larger envelope to the program early, ideally by early February.
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